So you want to be a Rock Star!

Recently I have been experimenting with Music games such as Guitar Hero and Rock Band. While I was strumming the guitar I started to think of possible ways to integrate these games into the classroom. My immediate thoughts went to how I would use them in Art and Multimedia classes and then I continued to explore further.  (One thing to be aware of is some games may have inappropriate images so choose a game which best suits the age of your students).

Here are a few ideas, (Happy to hear any ideas you might have to add)


• Write a blog of experiences, levels and songs mastered

• Document the songs and artists

• Research the artists

• Create an online timeline of the different styles of music
 http://www.xtimeline.com/

 http://www.timerime.com/

• Explore the period of time or culture associated with each song

• Interpret the lyrics of a song

• Write lyrics for a song

• Look at music search sites
http://audiomap.tuneglue.net/
http://www.liveplasma.com/
http://musicovery.com/

• Look at different instruments

• Create a Glossary of Music terms

This site could be useful in this task

Fun with Music

• Analyse the game

• Write a comparison between two similar games

• Write a review for the game to be published in a game magazine or blog

• Design a rubric to assess a game

• Hold a tournament between students with teams and prizes to win

• Design own rock star

http://www.blogger.com/•http://www.ugo.com/heromachine/rockstar/

• Design a Guitar

http://www.flashninjaclan.com/zzz1644_Custom_Guitar.php

• Design a poster for a band or rock star

• Write a story about rock star

• Create a virtual tour for a rock band

• Create a comic based on a rock star

• Create your own music       You can use the Audio Editor on the Aviary site

http://aviary.com/

• Beat Maker ipod app

Benefits of playing Music Games:

• develop rhythm
• develop hand-eye co-ordination
• motor skills
• develop memory and indentifying skills
• music recognition

Here are a list of games:

Game Consoles:

http://hub.guitarhero.com/

http://www.rockband.com/

Online Games:

Guitar Hero II

http://www.multigames.com/game/Guitar_Hero_II-EKn57X5O

Guitar Master

http://www.funny-games.biz/guitar-master-4.html

http://www.agame.com/game/Alvins-Guitar-Genius.html

There is also a range of ipod apps such as:

Guitar Rock Tour

Guitar Rock Tour 2

Rock Band

             Tap Tap Pro